Heartburn is a frequently experienced problem for many women throughout pregnancy. One of the reasons for this is the raised hormonal levels that are caused by pregnancy. This leads to softening of the ligaments which usually keep the lower esophageal sphincter firmly shut. Consequently, gastric acid is able to progress up the esophagus and throat more easily. One more reason why pregnant women get heartburn is due to more pressure in the abdominal area caused by the growth of the baby. Often this can push the contents of the stomach up to the esophagus.
There are various techniques by which a pregnant woman can diminish the misery due to heartburn. The following strategies ought to give you some relief.
* Keep your head elevated at least six to eight inches when sleeping. You may find a specially designed acid reflux wedge pillow to be helpful in these situations. This gives gravity some assistance in preventing your stomach acids from ascending the esophagus.
* Avoid alcoholic beverages, which you ought to at any rate for the well being of your baby.
* Stay clear of foods that lead to heartburn. Included in this list are spicy foods, tomato products, chocolate, fried and fatty foods, and citrus.
* Do not bend from the waist; use your knees instead. This keeps pressure off the stomach.
* Don’t slump when seated. Sit straight in a comfortable chair.
* Avoid wearing tight clothing. Tightness around the waist and stomach will result in heartburn.
* Do not lie down to sleep until it is been three hours since your last meal. This will help you avoid nighttime heartburn.
* Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. But do not drink too much while you’re eating. This will lead the stomach to expand too much and push out the stomach acids.
* Eat your food in a leisurely manner.
* Consume smaller portions of food. Having a few small meals during the day will keep the pressure off your abdomen.
* Don’t gain an exorbitant amount of weight. All that surplus fat puts added pressure on the stomach.
* Quit smoking. This is not just bad for the baby, it’s a frequent trigger for heartburn.
* Avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda.
Millions of people suffer from the pain and discomfort of heartburn. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to soothe the symptoms and get to the root of the problem. Learn more at Heartburn Relief.
categories: pregnancy heartburn,heartburn,acid reflux,health
Tags: Acid Reflux, health, heartburn, pregnancy heartburn